Apparatus and method pertaining to a multi-tier back-table drape

Abstract

A drape suitable for use with a multi-tier back table has a first fabric portion configured to substantially cover a lower table surface and a second fabric portion configured as a pocket that receives at least a substantial portion of an upper table surface. By one approach this pocket includes at least one hand slot configured to receive a user's hand such that the user can lift the second fabric portion and slide the pocket over the upper table surface. A third fabric portion having a vertical panel connects the first and second fabric portions.

We claim: 
     
       1. A drape for use with a multi-tier back table having a lower table surface and an upper table surface, the drape comprising:
 a first fabric portion configured to substantially cover the lower table surface; 
 a second fabric portion configured as a pocket that receives at least a substantial portion of the upper table surface, the pocket further including four hand slots configured to receive a user's hand such that the user can lift the second fabric portion and slide the pocket over the upper table surface, wherein all four of the hand slots are disposed colinear to one another and wherein first and second ones of the hand slots are centrally located laterally on the pocket and are spaced no more than four inches apart from one another and third and fourth ones of the hand slots are located on opposing sides of the pocket proximal to the edges of the pocket; 
 a third fabric portion configured as a vertical panel that connects the first fabric portion to the second fabric portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The drape of  claim 1  wherein the first fabric portion, the second fabric portion, and the third fabric portion are all comprised of a single fabric sheet. 
     
     
       3. The drape of  claim 2  wherein at least portions of the single fabric sheet further include padding material. 
     
     
       4. The drape of  claim 3  wherein at least a portion of the first fabric portion and a portion of the second fabric portion include the padding material. 
     
     
       5. The drape of  claim 2  wherein the single fabric sheet comprises a spunbound material. 
     
     
       6. The drape of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a lift fastener configured to lift underside material of the pocket and the third fabric portion. 
 
     
     
       7. The drape of  claim 6  wherein the lift fastener includes lifting straps disposed on opposing lateral sides of the pocket. 
     
     
       8. The drape of  claim 7  wherein free ends of the lifting straps are selectively secured to an upper surface of the pocket. 
     
     
       9. The drape of  claim 1  further including:
 instructional content attached to the drape to instruct a user with respect to proper deployment of the drape on a multi-tier back table. 
 
     
     
       10. The drape of  claim 9  wherein the instructional content includes instructions regarding a sequential order by which the first fabric portion is first unfolded to overhang a front portion of the lower table surface before the first fabric portion is then unfolded to overlie a rear horizontal portion of the lower table surface. 
     
     
       11. A method of forming a drape configured for use with a multi-tier back table having a lower table surface and an upper table surface, the method comprising:
 providing a fabric sheet; 
 forming, at one end of the fabric sheet, a pocket sized and configured to receive the upper table surface; 
 forming four hand slots on the pocket sized and configured to receive a user's hand, wherein all four of the hand slots are disposed colinear to one another and wherein first and second ones of the hand slots are centrally located laterally on the pocket and are spaced no more than four inches apart from one another and third and fourth ones of the hand slots are located on opposing sides of the pocket proximal to the edges of the pocket; 
 wherein a remaining portion of the fabric sheet is of sufficient size to at least overlay at least a substantial portion of the lower table surface. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the fabric sheet comprises a laminate assembly. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein at least one of layer of the laminate assembly comprises a spunbound material. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 attaching at least one lift fastener to the fabric sheet proximal to the pocket.